Sony has officially announced that the PC version of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered will require a PlayStation Network (PSN) account to play, even in single-player mode. The decision, echoing a trend with several other PlayStation titles, has reignited discussions about accessibility and the implications for players in regions without PSN availability.
A Controversial Trend in PC Ports
Sony’s insistence on PSN integration for PC titles isn’t new, but it remains polarizing. The backlash first gained traction last May when the company made PSN accounts mandatory for Helldivers 2 on PC. This decision effectively excluded players in 117 countries where PSN isn’t supported, making the game inaccessible even to those who purchased it. The outrage was enough for Sony to reverse the requirement for Helldivers 2, but the policy persists across other titles.
Now, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered joins the list of predominantly single-player PlayStation games with PSN mandates, following titles like Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, God of War Ragnarök, and Until Dawn. While Sony initially justified the requirement for online multiplayer safety, its extension to single-player games continues to draw criticism.
What Does This Mean for Players?
For most players, logging into a PSN account is a minor inconvenience. But for those in unsupported regions, it’s a major barrier. Not only does this policy prevent access to purchased games, but it also leaves potential players in 117 regions entirely out of the conversation.
Why is PSN Required?
Sony’s official stance centers on “safety and security” for online play. Yet critics argue that single-player games, which don’t rely on real-time multiplayer interactions, shouldn’t need such oversight. Features like leaderboards—present in The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered’s No Return mode—may provide justification, but the frustration persists.
A Growing List of Restrictions
The mandatory PSN policy is steadily creeping into Sony’s PC portfolio. Recent examples include Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Ghost of Tsushima, which also require PSN integration despite being primarily solo adventures. For fans, it signals a potential shift in how Sony views its PC ecosystem, possibly prioritizing account-linked services over accessibility.
The Bigger Picture
The timing of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered’s release—slated for April 3 on Steam and the Epic Games Store—aligns with the debut of HBO’s The Last of Us season two. While this synergy might boost sales, the looming accessibility issues for players in PSN-limited regions casts a shadow over the launch.
Digital Foundry praised the remaster as “the best way to play a genuine classic” when it debuted on PlayStation 5, citing improved textures, enhanced shadow quality, and extended level-of-detail distances. Yet these technical feats could feel bittersweet to PC gamers excluded from the experience due to account restrictions.
What’s Next?
Sony’s commitment to this path is clear, but will continued backlash sway the company? For now, it seems unlikely. The integration of PSN requirements appears to be part of a larger strategy to unify the PlayStation and PC ecosystems. However, the frustration among players—and the lack of a workaround for unsupported regions—raises questions about the balance between corporate priorities and consumer accessibility.
With The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered entering the spotlight, Sony’s policies are once again under scrutiny. For fans of the series, the hope remains that accessibility will eventually take precedence, ensuring these iconic games reach as many players as possible.
